A former Colorado sheriff’s deputy, Andrew Buen, is facing sentencing this Monday after being found guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the shooting death of Christian Glass, a 22-year-old who had called 911 for assistance. The incident, which occurred in 2022, captured national attention and prompted reforms in police training for handling individuals experiencing mental health crises. Following the case, Glass’s family received a $19 million settlement.
The crime of criminally negligent homicide in Colorado typically carries a penalty ranging from probation to a maximum of three years in prison. Buen, who previously served as a deputy in Clear Creek County, was convicted during a second trial. A previous jury had convicted him of misdemeanor reckless endangerment for endangering other officers by firing his weapon, but they were unable to reach a consensus on charges of murder or official misconduct. With the support of Glass’s family, prosecutors sought a retrial for second-degree murder, although jurors ultimately opted for the lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide.
Prosecutors argued that Buen unnecessarily intensified a standoff with Glass, who was showing signs of a mental health crisis, and had refused to leave his SUV near Silver Plume, a small former mining town in the Rocky Mountains west of Denver. The defense maintained that Buen’s actions were legally justified, as Glass had a knife and Buen was aiming to protect a fellow officer.
Convictions of law enforcement officers on serious charges are uncommon, as jurors often extend the benefit of the doubt to officers’ actions during emergencies. This case is reminiscent of the convictions of a police officer and two paramedics in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain in Colorado. They were also found guilty of criminally negligent homicide, with one paramedic additionally convicted of second-degree assault. Though sentenced to prison, the paramedic was later released and placed on probation.
The Bigger Picture
The case against Andrew Buen highlights ongoing concerns about how officers respond to mental health crises. This incident underscores the necessity for improved training and protocols in law enforcement to prevent similar tragedies. As public awareness of such cases grows, there is increased pressure on police departments to adopt reforms aimed at de-escalation and appropriate responses to individuals in distress.
For the community, the outcomes of this and similar cases could lead to significant changes in how law enforcement handles situations involving mental health, potentially increasing public trust. The legal system’s willingness to hold officers accountable in such instances may prompt a shift toward more humane and informed policing practices, which can improve overall community relations with law enforcement.